The mission of the Oregon Commission for Women is to work for the implementation and establishment of economic, social, legal, and political equality for women and to maintain a continuing assessment of the issues and needs confronting women in Oregon.

In 1964, Governor Mark Hatfield established the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women to advise him of the needs and concerns of Oregon women. In 1983, Governor Victor Atiyeh gave the commission independent agency status, with a directive to continue its mission to strive for the implementation of programs and policies benefiting women. The Oregon Commission for Women was legislatively established in 1983 to work for women's equality. The commission does this by advocating for women in the community, providing information on women to the governor and state legislature, serving as a link for women to state agencies, and providing services to individual women in Oregon.

The Oregon Advocacy Commissions welcome donations to promote their missions of advocacy at the policy level. Each Commission works on leadership development, advocacy and growing success for their communities in 6 key areas. These include Employment, Education, Civic Engagement, Health Access, Justice and Stable Families.

As the sole certification authority in Oregon, the Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business (OMWESB) provides a "one-stop" certification process for Oregon disadvantaged, minority- and woman-owned and emerging small businesses. Certification opens the door to targeted government contracting opportunities.

Did you know that Governor Brown makes appointments to over 320 Boards and Commissions representing a broad range of areas and issues for the State of Oregon? Most major state agencies and departments are headed by policy making boards appointed by the Governor. These very important citizens help the Governor in his efforts to highlight advocacy, create innovative community strategies, generate policy, and strengthen the responsiveness of governmental agencies.